Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he can see himself still playing at the age of 40 after suggesting he has 10 years of his playing career left.
There was once a time when Ronaldo was rumoured to be ready to join the planned new Los Angeles franchise in Major League Soccer after the 2018 World Cup when his Real contract expires.
But noise from the player's camp has since stated that he wants to spend the rest of his career at the Bernabeu. And now he's joking that that could easily be 10 more years.
"You have to enjoy your life and not everything is about football - obviously, it's my big passion; but you also have to think about the future, and I haven't got that long left in the game - about 10 years, more or less," he told AS at an event for his hotel chain in Lisbon.
Ronaldo is due to turn 32 years of age in February, one month after what is expected to be afourth Ballon d'Or title following a 2016 which has seen him claim a third Champions League winner's medal as well asthe first international silverware of his career.
Unfortunately for Ronaldo, the after effects of an injury picked up in that victorious Euro 2016 final have seen him begin the new club season somewhat slowly by his own very high standards.
He would have missed pre-season anyway after a delayed holiday, but he was also forced to miss the start of the season and has only scored once in four La Liga appearances so far, with Real not having won in their last four games in all competitions.
To continue the discussion on Twitter follow @jamiespencer155